Archive for the ‘picture message’ Category

Calamities are bound to come especially in a tropical country like the Philippines. Typhoons, earthquakes, landslides, floods and tsunamis are just few scenarios that we experienced or being experienced in our country. These occurrences can paralyze us from our normal way of life. It could even kill us. But what should we do when these come? How should a Christian react to such?

Reflect

Reflect on why these things are happening. What’s our contribution to nature that God allowed a calamity to happen? Is it because of our sin? Is it because of our neglect? Neglecting our love for nature and God? God will not allow things to happen without his permission. Remember when Jonah was going away from God? He sent a great storm to remind Jonah of his mission. Surely, He has a purpose for letting calamities strike our land. We just need to seek God’s heart for that. Of course, we need to repent for all the sins we’ve committed and resolve to change our ways. J

Pray

This is the best thing that believers should do. Pray! During storms, God reveals that He is sovereign. He certainly controls everything. So as His children, we can ask, we can plead to our Sovereign and Almighty God. Prayer is so powerful that it can move mountains. It can even do the impossible.

Prepare

As I mentioned earlier, calamities will always come. We just don’t know when. It is important to be prepared. And what should we prepare? First, our heart, soul and mind. We need to be strong inside before facing a physical storm outside. Second, our emergency kit. Petty items included on this kit could save us when a storm hits us. Third, be alert. Watch out for the latest updates on TV or radio. You may be prompted to evacuate your place when floods rise.

Help

As I watched the images of Typhoon Ondoy, my heart was crushed. Images of people asking to be saved brought me to tears. How should we react? Crying and praying will not be enough. Victims need food and clothing. We need to help our kababayans. If you’re not a victim, praise God that you’re spared and thank Him that you have this opportunity to show kindness to people in need.

After the storm, TV networks and other charitable organizations started to raise funds for the victims. Our church’ charity arm was also mobilized to help our affected members and other victims.

You can help in any way. You can share your resources. Donate some money or clothes. If you don’t have one, you can share your time and talent. Help in the repacking of relief goods in a charitable organization. If you’re a nurse or a doctor, you can even join in medical mission. There’s always something that you can do to help.

Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

– 2 Corinthians 8:7 New Living Transalation

Smile

What’s amazing about Pinoys is that we can always smile in the midst of the storm or any hardship. The song is right, “with Christ in my vessel, I can smile at the storm”.

Trust and Obey

May the storms that strike us remind that we can do nothing on our own. We need to trust and obey God in everything.

Let me end this post with these verses from Hosea Chapter 6:

1 “Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces
but he will heal us;
he has injured us
but he will bind up our wounds.

2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.

3 Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Dapat lamang na aminin natin ang ating mga pagkakasala. Humingi ng tawad. Repent. To repent is to turn away from sin and decide to follow the ways of God. Then, ipagkatiwala ang kaligtasan sa Panginoong Jesus. Declare with faith in your heart that his work on the cross is enough to save us from the punishment of sin. Sabi sa Ephesians 2:8-10

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

Kaya nga I am so glad that it was at the suggestion of some people that we try to revive iyong “being like Ninoy,” that the Filipinos are like Ninoy, ready to sacrifice and to give their all for the sake of the country.

I also realized I have so much to be grateful for. I always tell my children, “Siguro 90% of the population have it so much worse. We really are so privileged so we have to show and return all these gifts that have been given to us.”